 The
Desert National Wildlife Refuge is located about 30 miles north and
northwest of downtown Las Vegas. It was established in part to promote a
habitat for the Desert Bighorn Sheep, (Ovis canadensis nelsonii -
locally).
For the human visitor this area covers, roughly speaking, the mountains
just north of the Las Vegas Valley. It is a less developed area than
Mount Charleston, Lee's Canyon or Mountains Springs Summit. This means
that there are significantly fewer people going out there - to date.
That is part of the appeal, a little more roughing it and fewer people.
The Desert National Wildlife
Refuge has a basic facility near the entrance to the park which include a
bathroom which is useable. The area around the station is referred to as
Corn Creek. It has been occupied since prehistoric times because there
is a relatively large spring in the area.
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 Located
near the station, this spring was no doubt an attraction early 20th
century travelers on route to Tonopah and Northern Nevada.
The roads are gravel topped an can be quite dusty. It is recommended
that you do not use the family car to explore this place. A four wheel
drive is not necessary however.
What the Wildlife refuge offers is unspoiled Great Basin and Mojave
Desert vistas. This place preserves what the desert was really like
before it was changed in Las Vegas.
On the right is an early 20th century building which, it is said, was
used as a way station of some kind. |
 For
those interested in hiking, there is a lot of territory available.
Interestingly, I have been here several times throughout the years and
have never once seen any sheep. But there are caves, springs, the
remains of corrals from who knows which century, 20th, 19th? When hiking
through the mountains, huge fossil beds can be seen. The one shown here
was part of a huge rock face that was all fossilized coral and
fossilized undersea life forms. This was found a about 4,500 feet ASL. |
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